Workbench Creations

Workbench Creations is the place for conversation and discussion about do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. This DIY blog will feature projects completed by its owner as well as projects completed by other do-it-yourselfers. Workbench Creations is the place where DIYers can discuss ideas, learn about what others have done, and share their expertise.

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MkII Archer Automaton

Over the last few weeks I've rebult the Archer automaton with several improvements. Although there are only two basic movements driven by cams the interaction of the parts is surprisingly complex. It took an awful lot of fiddling and trial and error to get it working reliably.
Easy enough to get it working once, but I had to take a lot of slop out of the system to make it reliable.
Here's the video:-https://youtu.be/UajIxPdUZVE

One of the key elements was turning a tiny cone of antler on my little lathe, this is fitted onto the string and allows the archer's finger to slip over it in one direction and to snag onto it as it draws back.

The control rods that run up the back were originally of ply, then copper sheet and eventually steel.
I decided to power it from a hand turned crack and wooden gears which were made from this site's free gear drawing program (the old version of the program worked better for me).
Del

Re: MkII Archer Automaton

12/28/2016 11:35 AM

Not yet, but I'll see how reproducible it is when it's warmer in the garage, maybe try it a longer range.
I don't expect the point of loose to be very consistent and the arrow isn't optimally matched to the bow either.
Del

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health warning: These posts may contain traces of nut.

Re: MkII Archer Automaton

12/29/2016 8:49 AM

Firstly, very nice work. I liked this much!

Secondly (and I understand this could use its own thread, but the context here is good), I find myself using a URL-shortener (specifically, tinyurl.com) to send some of these discussions to friends via cell phone (sometimes email). Anyway, here's the "tiny URL" for this thread: http://tinyurl.com/h9ujhjo

if you do what I do.

Would this be a neat element to add to a discussion page: a tinyurl link? Would this make a worthwhile thread?

Re: MkII Archer Automaton

12/29/2016 11:21 AM

I just save/send a few thought-provoking or commendable discussions to like-minded friends every week. So, I copy the URL (usually 120+ characters), and use tinyurl to make it ~25 characters long. It makes a random-generated (by default-- you can make up URL if it isn't taken) link address.
So, instead of me sending this:

Re: MkII Archer Automaton

01/06/2017 4:56 PM

Very ingenious piece of machine! Congratulations Del! I got inspired by your work in such a way that I already begin to assembly my own archer based on yours. Now in progress (see picture). I will use a couple of servo motors controlled by an Arduino. Thank you Del the cat!

Re: MkII Archer Automaton

01/07/2017 4:10 AM

Hi Del,

I cannot remember which far eastern country had "Repeater" crossbows in use a long time ago, but I do remember that you showed us one you made or a video of them being used or similar. (I forget exactly which!)

How about giving your Automaton one of those at some point in the future? Or another version of your brilliant little man?

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"What others say about you reveals more about them, than it does you." Anon.